By: Austin Fang

Nikola Jokic is a basketball player like no other, a player chosen in a Taco Bell commercial and winning his second straight MVP award.

As a kid, Jokic wasn’t very athletic. In fact, he was considered overweight. “I was taller than most of the guys and girls, and the fattest, too. I loved some classes—math, history, that’s pretty much it. I didn’t love physical activities. In high school, I couldn’t do one pushup,” said Jokic about his childhood.

The 2014 NBA draft was filled with talent, including big names such as Joel Embiid, Marcus Smart, Andrew Wiggins, and Zach Lavine. Jokic was taken at #41 by the Denver Nuggets. Jokic was drafted on TV while a Taco Bell commercial was in place, showing the NBA’s disrespect towards him. Little did anyone know that he was about to become one of the greatest basketball players of this generation.

“The first week in practice was tough. All my teammates were more physical and athletic, they could slam-dunk any way you like and I kind of wanted to go home,” said Jokic.

“I am now in my seventh NBA season, having warmed the bench in the beginning and then I was given some ‘garbage time’ before I broke into the starting five,” Jokic explained. “It was a process, though I suppose I took the road less traveled.”

Jokic’s skillset is very different from other centers, as he is not athletic. His footwork at the rim is dazzling, able to destroy every defender in the post. His long-range shooting is also impressive, but it is his passing that makes him stand out from the rest. Whether he is six feet or 90 feet away from a player, he can deliver a smooth pass, setting the player up for a shot.

With 27 points, 13 rebounds, and 8 assists, Jokic won the 2022 NBA MVP award and is still revolutionizing the game today.